Quiet hillside pocket where locals go when they're tired of performing Seoul.
Why HUAM, why now
후암동 is surfacing as Seoul's next hip pocket near Namsan. Its 신흥시장 alley has been rapidly converting old shopfronts into cafes, galleries, and independent bookstores, distinct from neighboring 해방촌, offering Namsan-view cafes and gallery openings as a fresh alternative to over-saturated 성수, 연남, and 홍대.
1. Path Roasters
- 37 Sowol-ro 2-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.8 · 33 reviews · 카페
Path Roasters opens the course because morning here sets the rhythm for everything else. This is a cafe that takes its coffee and its baking seriously, the kind of place where you start slow and let the neighborhood reveal itself at its own pace. You'll want something in hand before you start climbing.
Crew's note
I know what you drink by now.
What visitors say
Great coffee, inflexible policy with laptops, even when the shop is empty and you say you only have to use your laptop briefly. Too many oth…
A cozy place with great coffee and house-made pastries. The cardamom buns are great, along with the house speciality iced toffee drink. Nice…
2. The 100 Smoke & Grill / The 100 Food Truck
- 45-1 Sinheung-ro 20-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
- 4.1 · 741 reviews · 클럽
The 100 closes the course because this is where the light changes and the route earns its view. It's a burger spot and a lookout point rolled into one, perched high enough that Seoul spreads out below you. The timing matters: you want to arrive when the sun is starting to drop and the skyline sharpens.
Crew's note
When Seoul gets heavy, I bring you up here.
What visitors say
The best thing is here has a very great view to enjoy esp sunset. Burger is ok not many varieties to choose and only has beef patty.
A burger spot that reminds me of the view from Huam-dong on a sunny day. Their signature Hanwoo burger has a clean, satisfying flavor, thoug…
The walk between
The climb between them cuts through the 신흥시장 strip, where old storefronts sit next to new galleries and bookstores still getting their signs up. It's steep enough that you'll notice the air shift, quiet enough that you'll hear your own footsteps.
- Arrive at Path Roasters early if you want a seat and first pick of the pastries, especially on weekends when the small space fills quickly around lunchtime.
- Plan to reach The 100 an hour before sunset so you're settled in when the skyline light does its best work, and order more than one burger if you're sharing, the portions lean single-serving.
FAQ
- Does Path Roasters allow laptop work?
- The cafe has a no-laptop policy that's enforced even during quiet hours, so plan this as a stop for coffee and pastry, not remote work. If you need to check something quickly, be prepared to keep it brief.
- What's the price feel at The 100?
- Expect to pay a bit more than neighborhood burger spots, and note that water isn't complimentary. The view and the Hanwoo patty justify the premium for most visitors, but it's not a casual snack-price stop.
Ask Charles
Busan
